Year in Review 2025 Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst 25 Allow me first to express my heartfelt gratitude to two former Bishops of Sandhurst. Thank you to Bishop Les Tomlinson, who entrusted me with this role even in the early years of my priesthood. Bishop Les appointed me as Vocations Director shortly after my ordination in November 2018. I am also grateful to Archbishop Shane Mackinlay, who allowed me to continue in this ministry during his time with us in Sandhurst. I sincerely thank both Bishop Les and Archbishop Shane for their trust and confidence in me to carry out this mission in our Diocese. I would also like to extend my deep gratitude to my brother priests, who have welcomed me and made me feel that I truly belong to our mighty Diocese of Sandhurst. Thank you for your friendship and shared ministry. I likewise thank those with whom I closely collaborate in the discernment program – Fr Adi Indra, Fr Jackson Saunders, and Fr Ruel Desamparado. Your support and contribution to the vocation ministry are greatly appreciated. In my almost six years serving as Vocations Director, I often recall the early part of the Ordination Rite for the Diaconate and Priesthood, when the principal celebrant asks the rector or presenting priest, “Do you judge him worthy?” The Roman Rite responds: “After inquiry among the people of God and those responsible for his formation, I judge him worthy.” This Consultation carries great depth. Consultation may take the form of gathering survey responses, creating spaces for dialogue and discernment, or listening attentively to comments and feedback. These are concrete expressions of consultation. This process has helped me appreciate the essential role of the voices of those entrusted with forming candidates for ordination. I believe my brother priests will agree that the people in our communities play a significant and ongoing role in seminary formation and, indeed, in our own continued formation as priests. In this year-end report, I highlight that consultation, especially through listening, is a vital part of the formation process. It is necessary not only for assessing candidates for ordination but also as a valuable element of ongoing formation for priests. Careful listening has helped me accompany our candidates as they journey towards becoming seminarians for our Diocese. It has guided me in offering thoughtful and gentle recommendations for each candidate’s application to the Bishop or Diocesan Administrator. This experience encourages me to invite my brother priests to remain open to consultative feedback—not as criticism or interrogation, but as an opportunity for growth. Scripture reminds us to bear with one another and correct one another. Fraternal correction, when given with charity, strengthens our bonds. Feedback need not always be a list of faults; expressing appreciation is equally vital for ongoing formation and fraternity. This dynamic of listening and offering feedback is also true in marriage. Spouses grow in their vocation when they listen to each other, give way to one another, and nurture mutual appreciation. Families flourish when parents take time to hear their children. By listening to them, we create a home that accompanies rather than dictates, and parents who grow in maturity with their children through discernment rather than imposition. I hope these reflections inspire renewed vigour in our family life and encourage our clergy to foster fraternity within our diocesan home – the Diocese of Sandhurst. May we all be blessed in 2026. Adelante! Rev. Nathan Verallo Vocations Director Catholic Diocese of Sandhurst Rev. Nathan Verallo Vocations Director
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